Water softening apparatus



May 31, 1932- c. P. lsENHAul-:R A 1,860,926

WATER soFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 6 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet l "www I I l I l I I I I Il*l l II I I I um III IIII III|III|| B LA 99M@ AToRNsYS May 31, 1932'. c. P( EISENHAUER 1,860,926

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1925 10 Shee ts-Sheet 2 ATT'QRNEY;

May 31, 1932 l C. P. Elsl-:NHAUER 1,860,926

WATER SOFTENING APPARATU? Filed July 6, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.

iNvENToR CHAELES F: f/sg/v/fm/f/a .v

A'I'TORNEYQ May 31, 1932, c. P. EISENHAUER 1,860,926

WATER soFTENING APPARATUS Filed Juiy-e, 1925 .10 Asheets-sheet 4 A'r'roRNEY May 31, 1932 P. ElsENHAuE'R 1,860,926

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS n Filed July 6, 1925 1o Sheets-sheet 5 May 31, 1932.

Flo e C. P. EISENHAUER` WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 6' May 31, 1932- c. P. ElsENHAUE'R 1,860,926

I WTER SOFTENING APARATUS I Filed Ju1y 6. 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet p7 FIG. 8

FIG. 7

May 3l, 1932. c. P. E| s|-:NHAUER WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1925 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 FI G I6 61. wwmp. HH Il .al 7 k FIG. 9

FIG'. l5

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M A. m

WM T F.

E f D1. M H Fu m l May 31, 1932 c. P. Elsr-:NHAUER V WATER SOFTENING PPARATUS.

Filed July 6', 1 925' 10 Sheetsfsheet 9 HTTQRNEVS 10 Sheets-,Sheet 10 May 31, 1932. c. P. EISENHAul-:R

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed Julyl 6, 1925 Patented May 3l, 1932 UNITED vs'mras WATER SOFVTENING APPARATUS application mea July e,

It is the object of my invention to provide a water softening apparatus and in particular an automatic water softening apparatus. It is m' object to provide an apparatus which is ully automatic for softening hard such means as a meter or other device operated-by the amount of incoming water may be utilized to furnish sullicient power only for operating the controlling mechanism for the system which determines its alternating periods of operation, the power being required for this specific purpose 4 being of such a minor amount asto not interfere with the operation of the meter. I provide the power for operating the system directly from' the incoming hydraulic press-ure.

'It is a further object to provide meansof adjusting the apparatus to varying hardnesses of Water-and various times needed for softening or regenerating or various quantities of Water without changing the construction of the apparatus, thereby mak'- ing it possible to manufacture on uniform production the apparatus desired without having special part-s for special hardnesses of water and special times of softening and regeneration.

It is an additional object to provide in the water softening receptacle means of distributing the water through the mineral and means of preventing the mineral from making its exit from the water softening receptacle. Specifically, it is my object to provide a lscreen both at the top and bottom of the tank containing the mineral. The volume of mineral between the screens is preferably slightly less than the space between the screens. This accomplishes the object of permitting the `,mineral to press upwardly against the upper screen when the ywater flows upwardly during softening, thus come pelling the water to come in contact with the 1925. 'serial no. 41,580.;

mineral softening the water. -`Likewise I regenerate downwardly. Whelira Yrelatively small body of mineral is used the water can iloatthe mineral, which allows channeling and eflicient softening as the water gets at all parts of the mineral. 'lhis prevents packing of the mineral and loss of efliciency.`

It is a further object to provide means' of setting the apparatus for the p roper grain gallon hardness at the will of the operator. It is a'further object to provide means of varying the time element by providing setting means-for thel cams, :thus utilizing only a-single cam mechanism of the requisite num-4 ber of parts. p y

It will be understood that it isf my object to provide an apparatus which will automatically pass hard water into the softening tank, soften the Water therein, deliver it to the household system of lpipefs,rcut olf the softening process when the mineral is substantially.

exhausted, deliver brine into the tank of softening material from a reservolr of brine to regenerate the mlneral, to regenerate downwardly, wash the salt fnom the softening tank, shut ofi' the wash water and brine supply and turn on the Water to be softened and pass it again through the softening material into the tank in the opposite direction from regeneration, and refill the salt tank with water.

It is a further object to provide upward softening and downward regeneration in this system. f

It is an object of'my invention to provide means of replenishing the brine tank with fresh water at the bottom so that the fresh water will proceed upwardly from the bottom 'to the top to insure thorough mixing of the salt with the water and the taking out of the salt water at the bottom which again insures taking the water out of the top which will have the least salt in it through the. portion of the liquid at the bottoniwhich will have the greatest amount of salt. This insures a thorough incorporationof the salt in the waterlat alll times.

. It isa further object to eliminate the time element at the meter, to use the same line for -refilling the brine tank as is used fon with- DURO courrant?,y

[PATENT 'I OFFICE cHAnLEsr. EIsENnAUEa, or DAYTON, omo, Assrenon.- rro ran marron,A omo, A conroanrron or omo.v

' drawing the brine, to reau ure brine rank' yand more saturated solution will be at the bottom of the brine tank.'

It is a further object of my'invention to use a gravel bedat the bottom of the brine tank between the exit from the brine tank and the body of the solution to insure aproper'diifusion of the salt in the water.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete automatic softening apparatus with the softening tank partially in section and with the salt tank in section;

Figure 2 is aside elevation partially in section with a supporting bracket broken away showing the meter and the driving connections driven thereby:

Figure 3 is a rear elevation partially in .section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 of the same apparatusshown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 isv a complete side elevation of the apparatus in Figure 2; 'i

Figure 5 is a detail View` of the control7 valve in section' with the actuating gear broken away to show the-.cam roller and cam; Figure 6 is a plan view of the salt tank, the ioit apparatus, the salt valve andthe refill va ve; Figure 7 is an elevation in detail of the cam roller, roller arm and cams with the actuating worm. gear;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8- -8 of Figure 7 Figure 9 1s a section Ithrough a typical water meter construction showing the arrange'- ment of the actuating parts and caslng diagrammatically;

Figure 10 is a section through a typical hydraulic valve;

Figure 11 is a view partially in section ofa softening line valve;

Figure 12 is a view partially in section of the by-pass valve;

Figure 13 is a-section through a modified form of valve;

Figure 14 is a section through the injector mechanism; r

Figure 15 is an elevation partially in section showing the locking mechanism of the refill valve Y Figure 16 is a view partially in section of the salt valve; l

Figure 17 is a section through the top o f the salt valve showing the arrangement of the incoming and outgoing passageways for hydrostatic pressure to actuate the diaphragm in the valve and to exit the pressure from behind the diaphragm;

Figure 18 is a section' through control and rell mechanism.

Referring to the drawlngsv 1n detail, 1 'desigare brine van interior chamber 23.

1,seo,aale

through the set screws 13. The cams are eccentrically mounted on the shaft 9 so that the length of the high point 14 of the'cam l1 may be varied as will be hereinafter explained' in some detail. A cam roller 15 carried on a cam follower arm 16 which is pivoted at 17, follows the cam and is actuated thereby. The .other end of this cam following mechanism is connected at 18 to the upper end of a plunger 19 which is held upwardly yieldingly by a spring 20 connected at one end to the plunger 19 and at the other end to a bracket 21. This plunger 19 works in a control valve 22 which valve consists of a casing having The upper end through which the plunger enters is provided with an aperture 24 .for that purpose` The plunger is surrounded with a packing and a packing nut 26. The bottom of the .chamber is provided .with an opening 27 against which the valve member 28 seats, which mem ber 28 is carried by the valve plunger 19. This valve member re'ciprocates in a second chamber 29 formed in the casing 30 screwed stricted orice 33a which allows the accumu- `-to the bottom of the casing 22. The casing lation of liquid in the chamber 23 to bleed to the drain.

The chamber 23 is provided with an outlet pipe 33 communicating with the drain line 34a. The drain line valve is designated 34. Another exit line is provided from the chamber 23 designated 35 which leads/to the valve 36 controlling the passage of hard water to the top of the softener which in turn communicates by the pipe 37 with the hard water inlet valve 38 controlling the passage of hard water to the bottom of the softener. This valve is connected by the pipe 34?) to the valve 34. The exit port`39 communicates Withthe pipe 40 which leads to the by-pass valve, refill valve and brine-valve. The byass valve is designated 41, the pipe connnectlng the by-pass Valve to the .refill valve is designated 42, the reillvalve'is designated 43, the pipe connecting it to th'e brine valve is designated 44. The brine valve is designated 45 and the waste pipefrom'the train 52, `the screen 53 which is carried by the gratof valves to the brine tank 46 is designated 47. l v

Theline from the meter is designated 48. It meets a vertical pipe a`t right angles deslgnated 49 which leads to the bottom of the lsoftener tank 50 which communicates with,

at the point marked 51 beneath the grating ing. This screen and grating are retained in position by the bolts 54. The liquid passes upwardly through the softening materlal 55, through the screen 56 mounted on the grating 57. The bolts 58'retain these pieces in poy piston rod 92.

sition. The liquid passes out at a point above the screen on top of the -tank at 59, through the pipe 60 to the fitting 61 which contains an injector. This fitting is connected on one side to the? pipe 60 and on another side to the pipe 62 from the pipe 48. On -a third side it is connected to the brine line 63' and on the fourth side it is connected to the out-I going service. line 64. This service line is connected to the'incoming hard Water line by-pass pipe 65 which leads into the fitting 66 in which is a portion of the valve mein ber ofthe by-pass valve 41. The ipe 67 leads to service, for either hard or sog water depending upon the state of the system. The brine line contains the valve 43 which is a refill valve and the valve 45 which is the brine valve. It enters the brinetank 46 at 68 and goes downwardly to the bottom of the brine tank where it terminates in a bell 69 which is a slight distance above the bottom of the tank and which is'buried beneath the layer of gravel designated 70.

The float 71 in the brine tank which is supported on the iioat arm 72 is pivoted at 82 on the refill valve 43. This float arm 72 is member is carried on the lower` end of the valve stem 94. Beneath the valve seat is pro-` vided an aperture 100 in the pipe which is closedfby a screw plug 101 for drainingvand cleaning purposes. elow 'the piston 91 isl located a helical spring 102 lone end ofv which abuts lthe piston, the other end of which abuts a to 103 of a screw plug 104 which fits into the ase of thecasing 43 of the valve. This spring is located 'within a chamber 105. Threaded into the interior ofthe screw plug 104 is an upwardly projecting dome like member 106 which acts as the upper retaining member for an interiorly located spring 107,

which is mounted upon the washer 108 above the packing 109 around thevalve stem 94.

The lsprings 102 and 107 resist the downward movement ofthe valve stem and valve member against the hydrostatic pressure which is applied to the diaphragm in the chamber 110. A screwcap 111 is provided for holding the diaphragm in position Vagainst the shoulders 112 of the casing 43.

connected to a be11 crank 81 pivoted `at ggf understood that the mechanism of a number in the side wall of the housing. A helicalv spring 89 surrounds the plunger 86. It is located between the bracket 87 and the Cotter pm 90 carried by the plunger 86. The head -of this plunger 86 is adapted t0 be thrust above the piston 91 which is carried on the This piston rod 92 is connected to the diaphragm 93. i There is provlded at 80 on the end of the bell crank 81 a vertical link 79 `which has an elongated slot 78 at its upper end. l/Vorking in this slot is a transverse pin 77 carried in the jaws 7 7 a of the lever 115. The level` 115 1s pivoted at 73 upon the vertical member 74 which-acts as its support. The bottom of the pivotal support is pivoted at 75 upon the zsing 76 which isa cover of the brine valve The construction of the lower part of the Lshaped member.

of these valves is similar, although they are used for different purposes in the system. In 4 this case'the standard valve shown in Fi ure 10 has added to it the locking device of igure 15.

' Returning to Figuresj16 and 17, it will be observed that a lever 115 has pivotally sup-- ported on the outer end thereof at 116 a link 117 in which is threaded a valve stem 118.

This valve' stemis adjustable in the link 117 l and is fixed in its adjustment by the lock nut 119. This valve stem is contained within the upper portion of the brine valve casing or cap 76. This casing has threaded'at 120 in the upper portion thereof an inverted cup j This cup shaped member is designated 121:v Between the inner end of the cup shaped member andk a `collar 122 on th'evalve stem 118 is a helical spring 123.

Between a shoulder 124 on this cup shaped member and the top of a packing washer 125 is a second helical spring 126 which serves to keep the packing washer` 125 and the packing 127 in position. The lower end of the valve stem terminates in a needle valve member 128 which projects through the pipe 129 to close the orifice 130 leading lfrom the pipe 129 into the-.diaphragm chamber 131 above the diaphragm 132 which controls the brine valve.

' Referring to Figure 17, which is a section taken-at right angles to the view in Fi re 16, it will-be seen that the hydrostatic iiid will enter through the pipe 44 into the casing 76 by Way of pipe 129, pass the' needlel valve member 128 through the orifice 130 in the chamber 131. The surplus. hydrostatic Ifluid will bleed throughfthe minute opening flowing through the pipe 62 into the casing 61, provide a right angled interiorly projecting casing 134 with a nozzle 135 carried .in said casing 134 within ythe casing'61 having its major axis atiright angles to the pipe 62. Spaced from, but adjacent to thisA nozzle 135 is a restricted orifice 136 in a collar 137 which is carried at one end` by the casing and is pulled at itsfother end to the pipe which in'this instance feeds the water and brine into the tank for downward regeneration. A collar 138 connects 137 to a sleeve 139 which in turn is threaded at 140 on the pipe 60. The exact details of fitting the parts together are immaterial.

In order 'to adjust the mechanism for the grain hardness of the water being softened, I provide a cotter pin 141 (Fig.'2) in the driving member 4 so that the driving member 4 may be positioned in the shaft 3 at any elevation by inserting the cotter pins in thev holes 142 in the shaft. This positioning is assisted bythe grain hardness scale 143 carabout two inches ,less in depth than the total ried adjacent thereto'.

As to the construction of the devicefor `A operating the cams, any form of device .will

be suit-able which provides sufficient power for merely rotating the cams, as it ismy primary purpose not to provide any,.means of operating the operating yvalves directly by power furnished by the meter, but only to get suicient power for operating the controlling cams.

Referringto Figure 9, the lincoming water pipe is connected at 144. The water passes through the pipe 145 in the meter casing into the disk chamber 146 when it actuates the disk 147 which carries thelshaft 148 on the crank 149, which crank is' mounted uponrthe shaft 3 carrying the driving member 4. 'llhe During this peri closed, g v e A va water passes out through an opening 146o, through the pipe 150 to the pipe 48.

p. Turning"v to .the by-pass valve shown in Figure ,12, it will be understood that the upper part of the valve is the same as that shown in Figure 10, the valve stem 94 being' oper-v ated by the diaphragm 93.- rIfhevalve member is slightly different in that it carries a second valve stem 151 threaded into an extension of it at 152. The valve member 99 seats on the under side of the partition 96 as in the case ofthe brine valve and other valves. Below the opening 97 through which METHOD or OPERATION ,S'ofzenmg-Assuming that the driving member 4 has been set on the shaft 3 opposite the proper point on the scale 143 for the proper grain gallon hardness of the water, the operation of this system is as follows. The hard soV water enters the pip` 1, actuates the meter mechanism in the meter 2, rotates the shaft 3,

the driving member 4 and the disk 5. This disk in turn operates the shaft 6, worm 7, worm wheel 8, shaft 9, and the cams 11 and 12. (Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8.) r1he cam roller 15 follows alongon the lower level 14a of the cam 11 durin the periodl of softening.

othe hard vwater is passing through the pipe 48, valve 38, pipe 49 and to the bottom of thetank 50 upwardly through the softening material 55-at the top of the tank at 59 through the pipe 60 and pipe 64 to service. A

As the softening material 55 is normally material to an extent and thoroughly mixing- -the water withfthe 'softening material, to insure the maximum contact of the hard water with the softening material to secure t the maximum* respltgffrom'the softening materia1. D urin rege tion', the drain valve 34 is is open vand the valve ure on the diaphragms beenreleased and the Eeratethevalves. Durin ypass valve 41 isclose springs 4in the regenerationk t closed and the brine valve 'pressure through the pipe 32. from the hard the pipe 37 to lWhile the pressure passingwater line 1 and the chamber 29 into the chamber 23 of thel control valve 22. This admits pressure" to the pipes 40 and 35. 4

TheA pressure in the pipe 35 serves to open` The pressure passes through the valve 36.

the valve 38, serving to c lose that valve through the pipe 34?) serves to open 'the drain valve 34 to allow liquids to pass through the pipe 34a. The restricted opening 33e-.in the pipe 33 through the pipe 33 during this time as the exhausting through that opening is at a relatively slow rate. t I

The hard water therefore passes through the pipe 48 upwardly through the pipe 62 through vthe pipe 60, out the opening 59, through the screen 56, through the softening material 55',.downwardly through the screen 53, out 51 into thepipe 49, past the valve 34 to the drain through thepipe 34a.

Hard water by-passreln order to prevent l the service line 67 from becoming dry, the

hard Water is allowed to pass up the pipe 65 into the fitting tthrough the open by-pass valve 41 into the pipe 67 so that during the period of regeneration the service line 67- Will have hard Water. This ris brought about by the pressure being admitted to the pipe 40 from the/ control valve, which pressure is derived from the' main line 1 and applied behind the by-pass valve to open it.

Brine application to softening material-,- The brine is drawn from the brine tank through the diffusing gravel 7 0 into'the bell 69 up the pipein the brine tank, through the brine pipe 63, into the fitting 61 through thev orifice 136 and into the pipe 60 and downwardly over the softening material, out through the pipe 49 to the'drain 34a.

In order to permit this, the pressure in the pipe line 40 has not only opened the by-pass valve 41, but has also passed through the pipe 42 to the refill valve 43 opening it by tlhe application of the pressure behind the f 1 phragm 93 lowers the piston 91 permitting the plunger 88 to snapinto position above it, locking the refill valve open. During the softening operation the brine valvev is'open. '.Ihus both the brine valve and refill valve being open the softening material tank as described. The pressure from the pipe 40 also `passes through the pipe 44 but is stopped in the passageway 129. (Fig. 16) by the needle Valve 128 which at this time has closed the opening 130 into the chamber 131 over the diaphragm 132 of the brine valve 135. l

prevents the pressure from exiting',

the liquid therein.

aphragm 93.` The depressionof the dia-- salt water can pass into the y71V descends to a predetermined distance.

When it descends it carries with itthe float arm 72vand the link '-79.' The link 79 does not effectthelever 115 until the float gets to its lowermost pointwh'en the upper end of the slot 78 engages with the pin 77. When this occurs thelever 115 is pulled :down on one side and lifted on theside Where it is connected to the link 117. This lifts the needle valve 128 allowingthe pressure in 129 to enter the'chamber 131 to depress the diaphragm 132 and close the brine valve, stopping any further delivery of brine.

'Washing-#For a considerable period the parts stay in regenerating position and the hard water continues to flow up the pipe-62,

through the pipe 60 into the top of a softening tank at the bottom and thence to drain, washing away the salt water out of the tank so that this salt Water cannot get into 'the service system. When this is accomplished the system is so timed that-.the roller will fall ofil the high point ofthe cam and the parts Will be restored to softening position. When this occurs the valve 34', closes, the valve 38 opens and the valve 36 closes. The

by-pass valve closes and the pressure in the holding the refill valve open. A part of the vsoftened Water passes into the pipe 63 and thence into the salt water tank to replenish As the liquid increases it gradually lifts the float 71-until'the float armis lifted sufliciently to pull the pin v88 againstthe spring 89`permitting the pistonV 91 to riseto the refill valve to close it, shutting off further delivery of the water tothe salt tank. Any surplus of liquid in thelmes 42, 43 and 44 and behind the valves 43 and 45 bleeds into the salt Water tank from the pipe 47 Grain, 'hardness cam adjustment-The cam 12 is in fact a ring having a hlgh portion-12a. This ringis mounted upon an eccent'rically located plate 12b mounted ,on the shaft 9. This plate 12b is provided with the slots 12e in which are located the set p screws or bolts 13. The ring 1s about 1/10000 thicker than the eccentrically ymounted disk 12b so that the heads of the screws 13 will clamp the ring 12 imposition. Itis understood that the camll and the plate 12?) are pressed on the gear 8 and turn' with it in the shaft 9. By loosening' the screws 13, the ring 12 with its high part 12a high point 12a prooint. 14 of the cam of the high point time during which `can be either' completely concealed behind the plunger 19 will be depressedand thereby increase the time ofv regeneration. i scale 12d and a pointer .12e are provided to regulate this period. y'

It Will be understood that I desire to comprehend Within my inventionsuch modifi.- cations as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses. v

`Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic Water softener, a tank containing softening material, a haid Water inlet line for supplying Water to be softened thereto, means actuated by the Water passing through the inlet Water line for determining the period of softening'v and regenerating, an exit line from the softening tank, a container for a regenerating chemical, a line leading from the regenerating chemical container to the softening material container, a control valve operated by the means actuated by the inlet Water from the hard Water inlet line, said control valve being adapted to control a plurality of valves regulating the alternate softening and regenerating operations.

2. In an automatic Water softener, a tank containing softening material, a hard Water inlet line for supplying Water to be softened thereto, means actuated bythe Water passing through the inlet Water line for determining the period of softening-and regenerating, an

y exit l-ine from the softening tank, a container for a regenerating chemical, aline leading fromthe regenerating chemical container to the softening material container, a control valve operated by the means actuated by they inlet Water from the hardwater inlet line, said control valve being adapted to control a plurality of valves regulating the alternate softening and regeneration, and a by-pass line from the inlet vvater line to the outlet line adapted to be brought into operation during the period of regeneration, and a valve controlling said by-pass line controlled by the control valve. f n

3. In an automatic Water softener, a combination of a softening means and regenerating means for the softening means, means actuated by the passage of incoming hard Water adapted to regulatel the period of softening' and regeneration, a control valve opeiated by said means, saidcontrol valve-controllin the application of hydrostatic pressure to means for alternately passing hard Wateru through -the softener for softening and passing the regenerating chemical inthe softener for regeneration.

4e. In an automatic Water softener, a combination of a softening means and regenerating means for the softening means, means actuated yby the passage of incoming hard Water adapted to regulate the period of softening and regeneration, a control valve operated by said means, said control Valve controllii'ig the application of hydrostatic pressure to op.`

ing means for the softening means, means 'actuated by the passage of incoming hard Water adapted to regulate the period of sof.- tening and regeneration, a control valve operated by said means, .said control valvel con.- trolling the application of hydrostatic pressure to operate valves controlling the system, means alternately passing hard ,water through Vthe softener for softeningand passing the regenerating chemical in the softener for regeneration, means during the latter period for draining the regenerating material from the softener and for by-passing the hard Water around the softener, and means for replenishing With Water the supply of regenerating chemical, and valves for controlling said means. g v

6. In an automatic softener, hard Water inlet means, means adapted to be actuated by the passage of the hard water to control the period of softening and regeneration, means to soften the hard Water, means to contain a regenerating chemical,fmeans to supply said regenerating chemical to the softening means and return a portion of the Water in the system to the container to the regenerating chemical container to replenish it, a control valve actuated by the means determining the period of regeneration and softening, and means associated with said control valve controlled thereby for adjusting the apparatus to soften during the onel period, to regenerate during another period, and to replenish the chemical tank. 7. In an automatic softener, hard-water inlet means, means adapted to be ,actuated bythe passage of the hard Water to control the period of softening and regeneration, means to soften the hard-Water, means to contain va regenerating chemical, means to supply said regenerating chemical to the softening means and return a portion of the Water in the system to the container for the regenerating chemical to replenish it, a service line, a control valve actuated by the Imeans determiningthe period of regenerfor adjusting the apparatus to soften during the one period and adjusting the apparatusr to regenerate during another period, and lo by-pass the hard water around the softener during the period of regeneration direct to a service line.

8. In an automatic softener, hard water inlet means, means adapted to be actuated la' means, a control valve actuated by the means determining the period of regeneration and softening, means associatedwith said control valve controlled thereby for adjusting 'the apparatusto soften'during thegone period and adjusting the apparatus toy regenerate during another period, and to by-pass the hard water around the softener during the period of regeneration direct to a service line,

' said means consisting of a plurality of valves such as a drain outlet valve, a softening line valve, a regenerating line valve, an injector, a refill valve, a brine valve, a floatcontrolfor said refill valve and brine valve, a locking means controlled by said float means for the refill valve, and acut off valve for said by-pass line. 1 9. In an automatic softener, hard water inletmeans, means adapted to be actuated by the passage of the hard water to control the period of softening and regeneration, means to soften, the hard water, means to contain a regenerating chemical, means `to supply said regenerating chemical to the softening means and return a'portion of the water in the system to the container for the regenerating chemical to replenish it, a control valve actuated by the means determining the period of regeneration and softening, means associated with said control valve controlled thereby for adjusting the apparatus to softenl during one'period 'and adjusting the apparatusto regenerate during another' period, and "to by-pass the hard water around the softener during the period of regeneration direct to a service line, said means consisting of a. plurality of valves such as a drain outlet valve, a softening line valve, .a regenerating line valve, an injector, a refill valve,

abrine valve, a float control for said refill valve, a brine valve, a ,locking-means-com trolled by said float meansfor the refill valve,.a cut off valve for said by-passline, and means to adjust the periodI of softening and regeneration to adjust the apparatus to the hardness of the water being softened. the

consumption of the softened water and the pressure of the incoming hard Water.

10.v In an automatic softener, an inlet line communicating with the top and bottom of a softener tank, a softeningtank containing softening material, means on either .side or the softening material vbetween the softened material and the inlet or exit points for maintaining mineralin the softener, a regenerating chemical line, a by-pass line from the inlet Aline to the service line, aservice line connected to one of the ,branches 'of the line leading to the softening tank, means in' the incoming line of hard water `connected thereby for determining the period of softening and regeneration,.means of controlling the mechanism for determining the softening and regeneration operations, a control valve, said control valve being regulated in its operation by the means actuated by the incoming hard Water, means supplying Water therethrough to the control valve, exit means from .the control.

valve to diaphragm valves, a drain outlet diaphragm valve therein, a valve in each of the branches between the incomin line and the softener tank, a cut off valve for regulating the by-pass of water, an injector, a refill valve, a brine valve, a floatfcontrol, a lock for said refill valve, said valves being hydrostatically controlled by the pressure admitted through the control valve against the diaphragms to open and closeV them.

111. In combination inan automatic lsoft? i ener, of an inlet line leading to the bottom of a softening tank, a softenihg'tank, softening material therein, an exit line from the top thereof to a service line connecting the incoming line tp the outgoing line, adrain line in the incoming line, a drain valve in the drain line, an incoming'valve in the incoming line, a by-pass valve in the line connecting the in' coming line to vhe outgoing line, a brine line connected to the outgoing line, a hard water by-pass line from th incoming line to the outgoing line, a valv controlling the hard Awater by-pass line, an injector in the outgoing line at the mouth of the brine line, a refill valve in the brine line, a brine valve in the brine line, a brine' tank, a float in the brine 7 tank, a lock to lock the refill valve controlled `by the float, means controiled by the float to admit hydrostatic lpressmm from the refill valve to close the brine valve, a discharge pas` v sage for hydrostatic pressure into v.the brine tank, means for controiing the period of regeneration and the period of softening actuated by the incoming Water, an incoming line,a control valve actuated thereby, means to deliver hydrostatic pressure from the incoming line to the control valve, means of delivering such hydrostatic pressure to said valves, whereby when softening is taking place the valves will be so arranged that the. hard Water will pass to the bottom of the softening tank and ontv the top to servicefthe hard water by-pass being closed by thehard water by-pass cut off valve, and when regens eration is takingplace the valve in the line leadingto the bottom of the softening tank is closed and the valve in the bypass line from thehard water to the normal outgoing line 1s open andthe drain valve is open so that the Water will pass to the top of the softening tank andout the bottom to the drain, and

brine will be brought-,from 'the brine vtank through the injector to regenerate the material until the iioat descends to a predetermined point at which time the brine valve is closed, water passes through the softening material to'washv it and then softening again starts, and a portion of the incoming' water passes to the brine tank until the lioat'um locks the refill valve.

12. In combination as apart of a waterv softening system cooperating therewith, a water line, means mounted thereon adapted to be actuated by the passing water, a shaft driven thereby, a driving member 'carried by said shaft rotating therewith, a plate engaging with`said driving member, the speedA of said plate depending upon the adjustment of the friction member, a cam driven by said plate, a roller engaging with said cam, yielding means adapted to maintain said-roller i'n engagement therewith, an arm carrying said v roller, a control valve adapted. to be controlled by the position of the roller on the cam, means to support said arm at one enol,

controlling the application of hydrostatic' pressure derived from the water line and delivered to a plurality of actuated means controlled by said hydrostatic pressure and a cam follower engaging with said'cam adapted to control a control valve.

.14. In combination asl a part of a water softening system cooperating therewith, a water line, a meter, a driving memberon the meter shaft, 4a disk. driven thereby, a cam driven by said disk, a control valve for c0n-v trolling the application of hydrostatic pressure derivedv from the water line and delivered to a plurality of actuated -means controlled by said hydrostatic pressure, a cam L'follower engaging with said 'cam adapted to control a control valve and means to adjust the position of the driving member on the meter shaft.-

15. In combination as a Ipart of a water softening system vcooperating therewith, a

water line, a'meter, a meter shaft, a drivingy i member on the meter sha-ft, a disk driven thereby, a cam driven by said disk,a cam follower engaging with said cam adapted to control a control valve, a control valve for controlling the application of hydrostatic pressure derived from the water line and delivered to a plurality of actuated means controlled by said hydrostatic pressure, means to adjust the position 'of' the driving member y on the meter shaft,and ascale 'adjacent said adjusting means readingin. grain hardness whereby the position of the driving member 'will determine the period of operation of the control valve.

16. In combination asa part of a waterY member,- a cam actuated by thedriven member, said cam beingl adjustable to v ary the extent of its high or low points, a cam follower, and a control valve operated by a cam vfollower riding on said cam, and yielding means to maintain'said cam follower in engagement with said cam to cooperate to operate said controlva-lve, and a pipe from the water line for delivering water tothe control valve and a pipe to redeliver the water to valves to be actuated thereby.

17. In combination as a part of a water softeninggsystem cooperating therewith, an

inlet water line, means adapted to be actuated by the incoming water, a'shaft connected to saidv actuating means, a friction roller carried `by said shaft, a relatively large disk driven by said roller, a worm and gear connected tosaid disks, a cam having high and low points driven thereby, a camfollowe'r riding on'said cam, a valve plunger connected to said cam follower, yielding means to maintain said -camfollower in engagementl with the cam, a control valve, and means for receiving and distributin hydrostatic pressure communicating with the control valve.

18. In combinatiom-a water softening system', means for softening water, means for delivering hard Water thereto, means for removing softened water therefrom, a tank for supplying a regenerating chemical, ,a supply line for supplying said chemical, a float in said regenerating chemical tank, a refill valve in the chemical line, a chemical valve in the chemical line, means to supply hydrostatic pressure to actuate said valves, means to lock the refillr valve when it opens, means to unlock it when lthefloat rises to a predetermined point, means to by-pass the surplus hydrostatic pressure behind' the valves'to .the chemical tank.,`

19. In an automatic softener, means to control the softening and regenerating apparatus depending upon the passage of the incoming Water, means to soften the water by upward. passage through the softening tank, means to regenerate the softener through the downward passage of the water and brine to the softening tank, a brine supply, means for drawing. the brine supply during regenerating period, means for replenishing the brine supply tank after the brineI has been drawn off in a predetermined quantity, means for washing the softening tank free of brine, and means for by-passing the incoming water ire to the service line to prevent interruption of v service during the period of regeneration.- l 20. In an 'automatic softener, means to con# trol the softening and regeneratin apparatus depending upon the passage of t e incoming water, means to softenthewater by u ward passage' throughl the softening ta means to regenerate the softener through the downward passage of the water and brine to lo the softening'tank, a brine supply, means for drawing the brine supply during the regenerating period, means for replenishing the brine supply tank after the brine has ,been drawn off in a predetermined quantity, means for by-passing the incoming water to the service line to prevent interruption of service during the period of regeneration, and means for withdrawing the brine from the bottom of the brine tank.'

trol the softening and regenerating 'appara-- tus depending upon the passage of the incoming water, means to soften the water by upward passage through the softening tank,

means to regenerate the softener through the downward passage of the Awater and brine to the softening tank, a brine supply, means of drawing the brine supply during the regenerating period, means of replenishing the brine supply tank'after the brine has been drawn off lin a predetermined quantity, means of by-z passing the incoming water to the servicelne to prevent interruption of .service during the period of regeneration, means of withdraw tank, anda diffusing means in the bottom of the brine tank, the top of which is above the level of the mouth of the said lines from the tank, said diffusing means consisting of.

gravel. f l

22. In a,v water softening system, av pipe connecting a brine tank with a water softening tank, a water softening tank, a brine tank, a refill valve and a brine valve, means to hydrostatically open each of said valves, means to lock the refill valve open, afloat in the brine tank,.a float arm, means for piv0tally supporting said arm, means of connecting said arm toA said lock to unlock it when the lioat rises to a predetermined height in order to shut oil'l therefilling of the brine tank, a needle valve tocontrol the admission of hydrostatic pressure to open the valve, -and means to connect said needle valve to said/ float and float arm so that said needle valve l may be opened and closed by the movement of the float, and a loose connection between said float arm and said lock to ermit of the movement of a needle'valve, oat arm and float at a time different from the operation of unlocking the'rell valve.

23. In an automatic water softening Vapparatus, means to soften water, a supply of brine for regenerating the softening material, in a brine tank, a single means eonneeted4 -the former means adapted to be operated by `softening material, a single means connected 21. In an automatic softener, means to con- Y mounted thereon,-

ing the brine fromthe bottom of the briney with the water softenin means for delivering brine thereto and or delivering water from the watersoftening means to the brine tank, and means actuated by the incoming hard water todetermine 'the period of opera- 70 tion of softening and regeneration and the delivery ofbrine from the brine tank and the delivery of fresh water from the water softening means to the brine tank, a control means,

said control means.

24. In an automatic .water softening apparatus, means to soften water, a brine tank having a supply of brine for regenerating the with the water softening means for delivering brine thereto and for delivering water from thepwater softening means to the brinev tank, and meansactuated' by the incoming hard water to determine the Vperiod of operation of .softening and regeneration and the delivery of brine from the brine tank and the deliveryf of fresh water `from theA water softening means to the brine tank, said means commumcatingiwith the brine tank for sup- .plying brine and' redelivering fresh water being tank. v

'25. In combination as a part of a water softening system, an actuating shaft actuated by water passing through the system, a cam a' diskeccentrically mounted on said shaft, adjustable screws carl ried byl said shaft' and mounted in slots in said disk, 'the heads. of said screws overlapping a cam ring, a cam ring adapted to rotate on said disk behind thefirst mentioned cam, said cam ring vhaving a high point' adapted to extend the length of the high point on thefrst mentioned cam, said cam-ring located' atgthe bottom of said brine being slightly thicker than the disk, .whereby the cam ring may be rotatedl and either be concealed by the first mentioned cam when moved in one. direction or extendedv lthe length of the high point of the first mentioned camwhen moved in vthe otherdirection.

26. In an automatic softener, an inlet line communicatingv with the top and bottom of a softener tank, a softening tank containing softening mater'iahmeans on .either side` of 115 the softenin material-between the softened material andgthe'inlet or exit points for maintaining mineral in the softener, a regeneratchemical line, a by-passf line from the in et line to the service line, avservice line connected to one 'of the -branches of the line leadin` tothe softening tank, means inthe incommg line of hard water connected there'- by for determining the period of'softening and regenerating,'means of controlling the mechanism for determining the softening and regeneration operations, a control valve said control valve being regulated in its operation by the means actuated bythe incoming hard Water, means supplying water therethrough 13G v arefill valve, -abrine valve, a float control, a".

tothe control'v valve, 'exit means from 'the said har-dll .water line, a brine line from thecontrol valveto diaphragm valves, a drain l' outletdiaphragm valve'therein, a valve in each of the branches between the incoming vline and the softener tank, a cut ofi' valve for regulating the by-pass of water, an injector,

lock for said refill valve, said valves being hydrostatically controlled by the pressure admitted through the control valve against the diaphragms to open and close them, and yielding means associated `with each of said valves for movingthe valves in the opposite 'direction to that in which they are moved byv the hydrostatic pressure.

tank, means of conveying regenerating: i'lui to the softening tank, and a second valve controlled by said hydrostatic means located in said means for conveying regenerating fluid.

28. In a water softening apparatus, `a

- softening tank, a regenerating tank, valves adapted to control the passage of water through said softening tank to service and the passage of regeneratin iiuid from the regenerating tank to the so tening tank and a drain-and meter adapted to control the successive periods of softening, regeneration and iushing according to the quantity of water softening .tank to the brine. tank, a needle control valveV controlled by Asaid meter, a-

br in e' valve controlledby said meter, an in- ]ector, a servlce line, a valve controlling said service line hydrostatically .controlled b the waterin said system `from the incoming ard.

water line,'a drain valve hydrostatically controlledwhereby the alternate periods of regeneration, flushing and softening are controlled according to the quantity of water passing through said meter.. v

31. In a' water softening apparatus, a

measuring means lto regulate the periods of regeneration, softening and flushing, a brine tank adapted to' deliver brine to a softening tank, and a softening tank, and valves each controlling a drain, a brine line and a service line, and'a needle valve controlled by said measuring means t0 assist in regulating the.

operation of the successive periods of operation of the water softening apparatus.

32. In a Water softening apparatus, a

measuring means to regulate4 lthe periods of regeneratlon, softening and flushing, a brine tank for delivering brine to a softening tank,

and a softening tank, a drain for draining brine from the softening tank, a brine line K for delivering brine from the brine tank to the softening tank, a service line for deliver-4 ing softened water from the softening tank to the point where it is' to be used, and Avalves controlling said drain line, brine line and service line, and a needle valve controlled by said measuring means, and an injector for causing the brine to bevdrawn from the brine tank to the softening tank.

j In testimony whereof, I aix my si nature..-

' CHARLES P. EISENHA ER.

passing' therethrough and into the system, Y

and means for hydrostatically controlling some of said control valves through hydrostatic pressure taken from the water passing through said system.

29. In a water softening apparatus, av softening tank, a brine tank, and inletfhard water line adapted lto pass water through a meter on its wayto the softening tank, a line from the brine tank to the softening` tank, a valve controlling the delivery of water to service lfrom the softening tank adapted to shut when the softening period ends andopen when it begins, a hydrostatically-operated valve controlled lby 'said meter -through a master needle valve, said hydrostatically-opv erated valve being adapted to control the I i quantity of Vwater passing through said.

meter.

30. In combination, a softening tank a brine tank, a hard water line, a meter, in 

